Urinary Incontinence Is Independently Associated with Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Falls and urinary incontinence (UI) are among the most prevalent geriatric syndromes, contributing substantially to disability, loss of independence, institutionalization, and reduced quality of life in older adults. Although both conditions frequently coexist, the extent to which UI is associated with falls independently of age and sex remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between UI and history of falls in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a community-based sample of 836 adults aged 50–95 years (mean age: 69.12 years), including 586 women (70.1%). Urinary incontinence and history of falls in the previous 12 months were assessed through self-report. Associations between UI and clinical characteristics were initially examined using chi-square tests. A multivariable logistic regression model was subsequently performed to identify factors independently associated with UI, adjusting for age, sex, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, benzodiazepine use, hearing impairment, living alone, and history of falls. Results: The prevalence of UI was 34.7%. Participants reporting at least one fall in the previous 12 months had a significantly higher prevalence of UI than non-fallers (45.7% vs. 28.2%; p<0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression model, female sex (OR=5.02; 95% CI: 3.12–8.06; p<0.001), osteoarthritis (OR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.05–2.07; p=0.024), and history of falls (OR=1.45; 95% CI: 1.03–2.04; p=0.031) remained independently associated with UI. Conclusions: Older adults with a history of falls were 45% more likely to present urinary incontinence, independently of age, sex, and other clinical factors. These findings support the inclusion of continence screening within fall-risk assessment and reinforce the role of UI as a marker of vulnerability in community-dwelling older adults.